Illinois State led by 15 points in the first half before the Panthers closed the half on a 24-8 run to take a 35-34 at the intermission. In the second half, the Redbirds built a 60-50 lead with 7:03 remaining. Northern Iowa cut it to 62-60 with 4:17 remaining, but Brown then scored six points during an 8-0 run to put the game away.